Green Cardamom: Benefits, Therapeutic Uses, Dosage for Health Problems

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Cardamom is the “Queen of the Spices”, second only to black pepper, the “King of Spices”. It is one of the most valued spices in the world. It is well known for its medicinal and culinary use since centuries, after saffron and vanilla, it is third most expensive and widely used spice of the world. 

The dried seeds are used as a flavoring agent in tea, coffee, cakes, curries, confectionaries, custards, meat products, wines, and liqueurs, etc. The seeds are also used in aromatherapy, perfumes, and fumigation.

2. Classical Categorization

• Dhanvantari Nighantu – Shatpushpadi varga
• Madanpal Nighantu – Karpurayadi varga
• Kaiyadev Nighantu – Oshadi varga
• Raj Nighantu – Pippalyadi varga
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Karpurayadi varga
• Charak Samhita - Shwashara
• Sushrut Samhita - Eladi

Explore Whole Herbs

3. Types

There are two types of Cardamom, described by Nighantus, which are as follows:

• Sukshma Cardamom (Elletaria Cardamom Maton)
• Brihat Cardamom (Amomum Subulatum Roxb.)

The three most popular cultivated varieties of Cardamom are as follows:

• Mysore variety: with erect panicles.
• Malabar variety: with prostrate panicles.
• Vazhukka variety: with semierect panicles. 

4. Nutritional Value

An analysis of cardamom shows that it has carbohydrates, moisture, protein, ether extract, volatile oil, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, and iron.

5. Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa (Taste): It has bitter (tikta) and pungent (Katu) tastes.

Virya (Potency): It is cold in nature (Sheeta).

Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is pungent (Katu).

Guna: Laghu, Ruksha.

6. Identity, Purity, and Strength

• Foreign Matter – Not more than 2%
• Total Ash – Not more than 9%
• Acid-insoluble ash – Not more than 1.5%
• Alcohol-soluble extractive – Not less than 2%
• Water-soluble extractive – Not less than 12%
• Volatile oil: Not less than 3.5%

(Source: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India 1989)

Explore Herbs Powder

7. Health Benefits 

Cardamom has many health benefits and therapeutic properties due to its volatile oil; tinctures of cardamom are mostly used in medicines to relieve flatulence and strengthen digestion activities.

It is beneficial for throat, voice promoter, laxative, diuretic, cardio tonic, relish, antiemetic, antithrist, uterine cleansing, and cures tastelessness of mouth.

8. Therapeutic Uses

Bad Breath

The aromatic flavor in cardamom is a breath freshener, a few seeds chewed for a brief period remove any foul smell.

Depression

Powdered seeds of cardamom boiled with tea give a very pleasing aroma to the tea, this tea is also beneficial and used for treating depression.

Digestive Disorders

Cardamom reduces the air and water elements, increases appetite, and soothes the mucous membrane. It relieves gas and heartburn caused by garlic and onion.

Impotence

The herb is useful in sexual dysfunctions like impotency and premature ejaculation, 

Genito-Urinary Disorders

It is use as a diuretic for the treatment of gonorrhea, cystitis, nephritis, burning micturition or urination, and scanty urination.

Oral Disorders

It cures pharyngitis, sore throat, relaxes uvula, or the fleshy conical portion at the back of the tongue, and hoarseness during the infective stages of influenza. 

Other Uses 

In India, cardamom is used as a masticatory and is often included in paan-supari, it is used for flavoring curries, cakes bread, and for other culinary purposes like flavoring coffee, and confectionery, dessert, and curries.

The essential oil of cardamom is used for pharmaceutical purposes, perfumery, flavoring liqueurs, and bitters, in preparation of tincture, and as a stimulant.

9. Recommended Doses for Health Problems

Impotence

A pinch of powdered cardamom seeds boiled in milk and sweetened with honey is taken every night to yield excellent results. Excessive use of cardamom at times may lead to impotence.

Digestive Disorders

Ground cardamom seeds mixed with ginger, cloves, and coriander is an effective remedy for indigestion. Cardamom tea is also beneficial in headaches caused by indigestion.

Genito-Urinary Disorders

Powdered seeds mixed with a tbsp. of banana leaf and amla juice is taken thrice a day.

Oral Disorders

Gargling with an infusion of cardamom and cinnamon, its daily gargle protects one from the flu.

Hiccups

An infusion made by boiling a couple of pounded cardamom in a cup of water along with 5 mint leaves is useful in relieving hiccups.

Heart Disease

Intake of powder of Shukshm Cardamom and pippalimool with ghee.

Dysuria

Intake of Shukshm Cardamom powder with amla juice.

Vomiting

Cardamom powder gives relief from nausea and vomiting.

Common cold

A tea prepared with ginger, black pepper, cardamon, holy basil, twice a day, gives relief from common cold.

10. General Doses

Seed Powder: 1 to 3gm.

11. Official Part Used

Seeds.

12. Ayurvedic Formulations

Eladi churna, Anatadya ghrita, Eladi gutika, Stiopaladi churna, Avipattikar churna, Eladi ghrita, Chandanadi vati.

Explore Herbal Tea